The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to align or straighten a patient’s teeth, correct the bite relationship of
his or her upper and lower teeth, and improve facial appearance. “Straight teeth,” of course, give the best
appearance in one’s smile, but it is just as important that there is a balanced, functional “fit” of the teeth when
they contact during biting and chewing. This balance means that the teeth will have less tendency to wear down and shift. They will be more stable and strong for a longer time and, because they will be easier to brush and floss, they will stay healthier, ultimately preserving the patient’s improved smile for a much longer time.

Types of Treatment

Conventional Braces

Braces are attachments placed on the teeth. Brackets are bonded to front teeth and metal bands are cemented
around molar teeth in the back of a patient’s mouth. The brackets are made of either surgical-grade stainless
steel or clear ceramic material. These attachments allow wires to level, align, and shift the teeth in a
controlled, gradual sequence toward the correct positions. After a patient completes active treatment,
appliances called retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new, correct alignment. Traditional retainers
are made of hard plastic and wire, and are removable. However, sometimes, wire retainers are bonded on
the inside surfaces of front teeth to prevent a patient’s teeth from shifting.

Invisalign

This method of orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move teeth in small increments
to the proper alignment and bite position. The aligners look like thin mouthguards. They are removable and
usually quite comfortable. Normal brushing and flossing are not affected. To be effective, the aligners must be
worn absolutely all the time except when eating or brushing. In general, Invisalign treatment is utilized for
somewhat less complicated orthodontic problems. Special Invisalign retainers are also available at the end
of treatment.

Early Treatment

There are many ways that jaw growth and the transition from primary to permanent teeth can be aided by minor orthodontic intervention. This can include such things as relieving crowding by the removal of selected baby teeth, space maintainers for teeth lost too early, removable appliances to guide the growth of improperly positioned teeth, orthopedic headgears to modify the jaw pattern, and palate expansion appliances to correct cross-bites while the upper jaw is still growing. All of these efforts are made to improve the oral environment for the growing child and to facilitate and minimize any orthodontic treatment needed later.

Working with Your General Dentist

Preliminary orthodontic treatment is often requested by an adult patient so that recommended dental work can be accomplished. This might include aligning teeth, closing spaces, consolidating spaces so that there is room for an implant to replace a missing tooth, or leveling and uprighting teeth to provide improved biting or chewing function.

Treatment Requiring Oral Surgery

Some patients with a severe discrepancy in the growth pattern of the upper and lower jaws also need orthodontic treatment as a preparatory stage to corrective surgery by an oral-maxillofacial surgeon. This sort of treatment combination provides maximum improvement of the patient’s tooth alignment, functional bite relationship, and facial appearance. Routine braces are used by the orthodontist to position the patient’s teeth for the surgeon’s corrective procedure.

Adapting to Treatment

It usually takes less than a week to get used to braces. There may be some initial irritation of the soft tissues in the mouth (cheek, lips, tongue), but this goes away fairly quickly. Each time something new is done (a separator between teeth, a new archwire, an adjustment, a new elastic), you may experience some mild discomfort for a few days. This means that pressure on the teeth is starting to make them move. Once they are moving, this soreness subsides, so that for most of the time between monthly appointments, you will feel very little. Regular over-the-counter analgesics like Tylenol could occasionally be needed.

Taking Care of Your Braces

In order to keep your braces working they must not be damaged or distorted. Loosening the braces or bending the wires by heavy chewing negatively affects treatment progress. We will give you a list of foods to avoid so that you don’t slow down your treatment or cause yourself discomfort. In general, however, sticky foods and hard foods should be avoided. Excellent oral hygiene and the nightly use of a fluoride rinse is recommended. In addition, all orthodontic patients still need to have their regular check-ups and cleanings at their general dentist’s office every six months.